GENSETINSTALLATIONMANUAL
should be rigidly connected to the base frame
with vibration isolation between the base frame
and floor. Other effects of engine vibration can
be minimized by providing flexible connections
between the engine and fuel lines, exhaust
system, radiator air discharge duct, conduit for
control and power cables and other externally
connected support systems.
4.2 Floor Loading
Floor loading depends on the total generating
set weight (including fuel and water) and the
number and size of isolator pads. With the base
frame mounted directly on the floor, the floor
loading is:
Generating Set Weight
Floor
Loading = Area of Skids
With vibration isolation between the base frame
and the floor, if the load is equally distributed
over all isolators, the floor loading is:
Total Generating Set
Weight
Floor
Loading = Pad Area x Number of
Pads
Thus, floor loading can be reduced by increasing
the number of isolation pads.
If load is not equally distributed, the
maximum floor pressure occurs under the
pad supporting the greatest proportion of
load (assuming all pads are the same size):
Load on Heaviest Loaded
Pad
Max Floor
Pressure = Pad Area
5. VENTILATION
Any internal combustion engine requires a liberal
supply of cool, clean air for combustion. If the air
entering the engine intake is too warm or too thin,
the engine may not produce its rated power.
Operation of the engine and alternator radiates
heat into the room and raises the temperature of
the room air. Therefore, ventilation of the
generator room is necessary to limit room
temperature rise and to make clean, cool intake
air available to the engine
When the engine is cooled by a set mounted
radiator, the radiator fan must move large
quantities of air through the radiator core. There
must be enough temperature difference between
the air and the water in the radiator to cool the
water sufficiently before it re-circulates through
the engine. The air temperature at the radiator
inlet depends on the temperature rise of air
flowing through the room from the room inlet
ventilator. By drawing air into the room and
expelling it outdoors through a discharge duct,
the radiator fan helps to maintain room
temperature in the desirable range.
In providing ventilation, the objective is to
maintain the room air at a comfortable
temperature that is cool enough for efficient
operation and full available power, but it should
not be so cold in winter that the room is
uncomfortable or engine starting is difficult.
Though providing adequate ventilation seldom
poses serious problems, each installation should
be analyzed by both the distributor and the
customer to make sure the ventilation provisions
are satisfactory
5.1 Circulation
Good ventilation requires adequate flow into and
out of the room and free circulation within the
room. Thus, the room should be of sufficient size
to allow free circulation of air, so that
temperatures are equalized and there are no
pockets of stagnant air. See figure 5.1. The
generating set should be located so that the
engine intake draws air from the cooler part of
the room. If there are two or more generating
sets, avoid locating them so that air heated by
the radiator of one set flows toward the engine
intake or radiator fan of an adjacent set. See
figure 5.2.
